Larnaca taxi drivers are poised to initiate a significant industrial action, announcing a four-hour work stoppage scheduled for Tuesday, January 13th, between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. This initial protest, orchestrated by the taxi union Poat, signals a deepening rift between drivers and the Ministry of Transport, with escalating strike action threatened if their grievances remain unaddressed. The drivers assert that their livelihoods are under severe threat, framing the dispute as "a question of pure professional survival."
The impending disruption stems from what drivers describe as a protracted period of unproductive dialogue with transport authorities. Despite numerous meetings, the union claims that substantive solutions have not materialised, leaving them feeling neglected and their concerns unheeded. A primary driver of this discontent appears to be the proliferation of ride-hailing applications, particularly their operation at Larnaca Airport, which drivers argue represents unfair competition and erodes their established business. They are demanding a more rigorous application of existing taxi regulations to ensure a level playing field.
Should the initial four-hour strike fail to prompt the desired governmental response, Poat has outlined a clear escalation strategy. A 24-hour strike is tentatively planned for January 20th, followed by the possibility of an indefinite work stoppage commencing on January 28th. This tiered approach underscores the union's resolve and their determination to exert pressure until their core demands are met. The union has unequivocally stated that "responsibility for further developments will rest with authorities who failed to act," placing the onus squarely on the Ministry of Transport to avert further industrial unrest.
The implications of these planned strikes extend beyond a mere inconvenience for travellers. The initial four-hour cessation of services on January 13th will undoubtedly cause considerable disruption to taxi availability within Larnaca and at its international airport during the specified period. However, the prospect of a full-day strike, and subsequently an indefinite one, raises the spectre of significant and prolonged paralysis within the city's essential transport network. This situation vividly illustrates the persistent tensions that exist between traditional taxi operators and the evolving landscape of transportation, increasingly dominated by technological platforms and the regulatory challenges they present. The outcome of this dispute will likely set a precedent for how such conflicts are resolved in Cyprus, impacting both the taxi industry and the broader public's access to transportation services.